Typewriting machine



B. J. DOWD ET AL TYPEWRITING MACHINE April 28, 1942.

Filed Sept. 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l d w W April 28, 1 942 J DQWD AL I 2,280,806

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet b H INVENTORS Bernard JZDowd Henry J: Haw

BY 6% 7 405a ATTORNEYS a. J. DOWD E I'AL 2,280,806

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1, 1939 4 Shets-Sheet 3 mm m \w QM W m; a

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ATTORNEYS B. J. DOWD EIAL TYPEWRITING MACHINE April 28, 1942.

Filed Sept. 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 d Y 3 a d YM w y R Nar m w m m A? Patented Apr. 28, 1942 TYPEWRITING MACHINE Bernard J. Dowd and Henry J. Hart, West Hartford, Conn, assignors to Royal Typewriter Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 1, 1939, Serial No. 293,124

15 Ciaims.

This invention relates to typewriting or the like machines and more particularly to constructions of such machines adapted to minimize or eliminate unequal type impression spacing.

Even well built typewriters capable of performing efficiently and with well-equalized letter spacing when operated on solid desks or other supports are subject to producing unequal letterspacing when supported on shaky, unstable desks or tables subject to excess vibration. Great difficulty heretofore has been encountered in trying to overcome such uneven letter-spacing, particularly in connection with long carriage machines.

An object of the invention is to provide a typewriter or like machine so constructed as to minimize or eliminate the uneven letter-spacing heretofore resulting from vibrations or shocks induced by machine operation, particularly when the machine is not very rigidly supported.

Heretofore, somewhat unsuccessful attempts have been made to minimize uneven letter-spacing by interposing cushions of rubber or felt between the machine main frame and the desk, table or other support. We have found that uneven letter-spacing may be successfully minimized and in many cases eliminated by providing for floating movements of parts interposed between the carriage and the main frame. Accordingly, another object is to provide a typewriter or like machine structure in which means, preferably resilient, interposed between the main frame and other parts determining or controlling the letterspacing movement of the carriage permits floating of such other parts with respect to the main frame.

Another object is to provide a resilient connection between a main frame and a track rail supported on the frame, the connection being yieldable to permit floating of the rail with respect to the frame so as to prevent shocks or vibrations incident to machine operation from causing uneven letter-spacing.

A further object is to provide a cushioned structure of the character referred to and in which'the frame-supported track rail is adjustable fore and aft of the machine.

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings, in i which:

Figure 1 is a rear view partly in elevation and partly in section showing a typewriter embodying the invention in one form, some conventional typewriter parts being omitted;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and drawn on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line 33 of Figure 1 and drawn on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 and drawn on an enlarged scale Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of a cushion element included in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation showing a modification wherein the cushion element is adjustable vertically;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary view in rear elevation showing a modified cushion connection between a bottom track rail and a main frame;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cushion element shown in Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a View similar to Figure 1 but with some other conventional parts omitted and showing a further modified cushion connection between the main frame and bottom track rail;

Figure 10 is a horizontal section taken on the line Iii-40 of Figure 9 and drawn on an enlarged scale;

Figure 11 is a vertical section taken on the line H-H of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a vertical section looking from the front toward the rear of a machine equipped with a further modifiedform of cushion connection between the frame and bottom track rail;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary elevationshowing another form of cushioning connection;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a part ofthe main frame, bottom track rail, and rubber block cushioning connection; and

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a rubber block cushion.

The invention may be embodied in typewriting or like machines of various kinds, Figures 1- to 5 inclusive showing the invention as being incorporated in a long-carriage Royal typewriter including a main frame A and a carriage B mounted for longitudinal letter-spacing movements on the frame under the control of an escapement mechanism generally designated C.

The frame A includes as parts thereof two end extension brackets secured to the frame casting by screws -22. The brackets I are provided at their outer ends with outer pads 3-3 and at their inner ends adjacentthe frame casting are formed with inner, pads 44. A bottom track rail 5 is formed with end pads 6--6 which rest upon the frame end pads 3-3, and'with intermediate pads 1-1 which rest upon the frame pads 4-4. The rail is connected to the main frame in a manner to be described which permits it to move horizontally with respect to the frame.

The carriage shown is of conventional construction, and includes end plates 88, a margin stop bar 9, and a carriage rail I9 supported on the frame rail 5 through the medium of balls ll operating in raceways i2 and I3 in the frame and carriage rails respectively. The carriage is urged in the direction of the arrow a, i. e., to the right, as viewed in Figure 1 (Figure 1 is a rear view), by a draw band [4 connected to the carriage and peripherally engaging and being anchored to a spring drum l5 journaled on the main frame .as at it. Margin stops l1 positioned on the margin stop bar 9 are adapted to cooperate in the usual manner with a center stop l8.

The escapement mechanism C is of known construction and includes an escapement frame l9 mounted on the bottom rail 5, a rocker 20, a movable dog 2i, a dog spring 22, an escapement wheel 23, and a pinion 24 cooperating with a rack 25 supported on the carriage.

In accordance with the invention, the framemounted rail 5 is supported for horizontal movements on the frame and is connected to the frame in such manner as to be fioatingly positioned horizontally with respect to the frame. Each frame end pad 3 is provided with a slot opening 26 which receives with clearance a shouldered screw stud 21 having a shank 28 and head 29. The dimension of the slot 26 in the direction of longitudinal carriage movement and transversely thereto is greater than the corresponding dimension of the shank 28, so as to permit longitudinal shifting of the shank 28 in the slot. A plate washer 3!] interposed between the stud head 29 and the bottom of the pad 3 anchors the rail 5 against vertical movement. The washer just touches the bottom of the pad 3 without binding, so that the rail may move longitudinally of the direction of carriage travel.

As previously stated, it has been found that permitting the frame rail 5 to float horizontally from a neutral position in both directions longitudinally of the rail under the influence of shocks or vibrations caused by machine operation very desirably minimizes or eliminates uneven letterspacing heretofore resulting from such shocks or vibrations, particularly when the machine is operated on an unstable desk or other'support.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 5, cushioning elements generally designated D--D are connected between the main frame and the bottom track rail 5 for positioning the latter floatingly with respect to the main frame. The elements D are formed as leaf springs including U-shaped parts the legs of which are provided with attaching feet 3i and 32 secured respectively to the track rail 5 and main frame by means of screws 33 and 34. Preferably,

each screw 34 extends up through a slot 35 in the associated frame bracket inner pad 4, the slots being of sufficient size to permit horizontal adjustment of the feet 32. A washer 36 is interposed between the head of each screw 34 and the bottom of the frame inner pad 4.

In use, the bottom rail 5 will move longitudinally as permitted by the resiliency of the cushioning elements D. The elements D, however, will tend to maintain the rail in a neutral or centralized position wherein the stud shanks 28 are disposed centrally in the slots 26. The stud shanks 28 act as stops to prevent any unusual or extreme degree of longitudinal floating of the rail.

It is desirable to provide for the making of nice adjustments of the position of the frame rail 5 fore and aft of the machine in order to effect the usual stop-ring and cylinder adjustment. To this end each frame inner pad 4 is formed with a vertical opening 31 which opens into a horizontally extending opening 38. Pins 39 fixed respectively to the rail inner pads I extend down through the vertical openings 3i and into circumferential grooves formed in screws 4| having threaded engagement with the frame pads 4 and equipped withlock nuts 42. Rotation of the screws 4| will cause the pins 39 to be shifted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the direction of carriage travel, thus determining the fore and aft position of the carriage and platen with respect to the stop ring or type bar abutment (not shown). The pins 39 and grooves 45 guide the longitudinal floating movement of the rail in both directions.

Figure 6 shows a modification in which a cushioning element D is formed in two parts 43 and 44 clamped together by screws Li passing through slots 44* in the part 44 and having threaded engagement with the part 43. The part 43 is formed with an attaching foot 45 provided with openings 46 receiving screws 41 which clamp the foot 45 to the frame rail 5. The part 44 is provided with a foot 43 secured to the main :frame A by a screw 49 and by a screw 50 extending through an opening 5! in the main frame. The openings 44 45 and 5|, being larger in diameter than the screws which they receive, permit adjustment of the cushion D for aligning the rail 5 vertically and horizontally.

In the form shown in Figures 7 and 8, each outer pad 5 of the rail 5 is connected to the associated outer pad 3 of the bracket I in the same manner as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. A similar shouldered screw stud connection is provided between the inner bracket pad 4 and an inner rail pad I. This connection comprises a screw stud 52 having a shank 53 extending through the slot openings 35 in the frame pad 4 and a plate washer 55 interposed between the screw head 54 and the pad 4. The bracket I is formed with a depression 56 which accommodates a cushioning element D in the form of a resilient accordion spring. The cushioning element is provided at one end with a foot 51 having a slot 58 which receives a screw 59 clamping the foot 51 to the bracket 1. At its other end the cushioning element 1') is provided with an attaching foot 50 having an opening Bl receiving a screw 62 which clamps the foot to the track rail 5. In operation, the elements D at opposite ends of the rail 5 will tend to hold the rail 5 in a neutral or centralized position but, being yieldable, will permit slight horizontal floating movement of the rail under the influence of shocks or vibrations.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, the rail 5 is connected at its outer ends by screw studs 2'! the same as the screw studs 21 shown in Figures l to 3. In this form each rail inner pad 1 is held down on the adjacent frame inner pad 4 by means of a shouldered screw 52 similar to the screw 52 shown in Figure 7. The outer frame pads 3 are formed respectively with recesses 63 which register respectively with recesses 64 in the outer rail pad 6. An accordion spring element D is positioned in each recess 53 and is of such height as to extend up into the associated recess 64. Lugs 65 formed at the ends of the accordion spring elements D maintain the elements against lateral displacement from the recesses. In operation, the elements D will yield to permit the desired horizontal movement of the bottom rail on the frame.

In the modification shown in Figure 12, the mounting of the rail 5 on the frame by means of shouldered screws 2"! and 52 is similar to the corresponding mounting disclosed in Figure 9. However, modified spring cushioning elements D are provided at eachend of the rail 5'. Each ele ment D comprises a coiled compression spring interposed between an upstanding spring abutment 65 formed on the associated bracket 1 and a spring seat 61 formed in the adjacent outer end of the rail 5. The actions of the cushioning elements D are mutually opposed so as floatingly to position the rail 5 horizontally on the frame. In this view the carriage travels in the direction of the arrow 1).

In the form shown in Figure 13, the rail 5 is mounted on the frame I and held against vertical movement in a manner similar to that described in connection with Figures 9 and 12. The bracket l is formed with a recess 58, and a spring seat 69 fixed to the bottom of the rail 5 projects downwardly into the recess intermediate the spaced end walls of the recess. Coil spring cushioning elements D interposed between the spring seat 6:! and the recess end walls, which serve as spring abutments, position the rail 5 for horizontal floating movements.

In the form shown in Figures 14 and 15, a projection Iii formed integrally with the rail 5 extends down into the recess 58 in the frame bracket l. Rubber cushioning blocks D interposed between the projection and the opposite end walls of the recess 68 yieldably and floatingly position the rail 5 horizontally on the frame.

The mechanism disclosed herein for the pur poses of illustration embody the invention in preferred forms, but it is apparent that changes may be made in the particular construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a track rail supported on the frame; means for maintaining the rail at a fixed level vertically with respect to the frame; and resilient means interposed between the rail and frame normally yieldab-ly maintaining said rail in a neutral position and being yieldable in opposite directions longitudinally of said rail to permit floating of the rail in both said directions from said neutral position.

2. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a track rail mounted on the frame; means for maintaining the rail at a fixed level vertically with respect to the frame; and resilient means connecting the rail to the frame normally yieldaoly maintaining said rail in a neutral position and being yieldable under the influence of vibrations caused by machine operation in opposite directions longitudinally of said rail to permit floating of the rail in both said directions from said neutral position.

3. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including aliorizontal track rail mounted on the frame; means for maintaining the rail against vertical movement with respect to the frame; and resilient means connecting the rail to the frame normally yieldabl'y maintaining said rail in a neutral position and being yieldable under the influence of vibrations caused by machine operation inopposite directions longitudinally of said rail to permit floating of the rail in both said directions frc'msaid neutral position;

4. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame includnig a track rail mounted on the frame; resilient means connecting the rail to the frame normally yieldably maintaining said rail in a neutral position and being yieldable under the influence of vibrations caused machine operation in opposite directions longitudinally of said rail to per mit floating of the rail in both said directions from said neutral position; and a stop other than said resilient means for limiting floating movement of the rail.

5. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame element; a carriage; means unting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame element including a tracl. rail element; an opening in one of said elements; a stud secured to the other of said elements and amending into said opening transversely to the direction of longitudinal carriage movement for maintaining said rail element against vertical movement with respect to the frame element, the dimension of said opening in the direction of longitudinal carriage movement being greater than the corresponding dimension of the stud portion within the opening; and resilient means interposed between the rail element and frame element and being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit floating movement of the rail element on the frame element.

6. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame having a substantially horizontal rail-sup porting part; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a track rail having a substantially horizontal surface resting upon said rail-supporting part and being shiftable horizontally thereon; an opening extending vertically through said rail supporting part; a stud extending through said opening normally out of contact with the vertical walls thereof and being fixed to said rail, the stud being provided with means engaging the bottom of said rail-supporting part for preventing vertical movement of the rail; and resilient means interposed between the rail and the frame and being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit floating movement of the rail on the frame.

'7. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; and a resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said frame respectively, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame.

8. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; means for maintaining the rail against vertical movement with respect to the frame; and a resilient member having a substantially U- shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said. frame respectively, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame.

9. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; and a resilient member having a substantially U-shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and said frame respectively, one of said legs being in two parts and being adjustable as to length, said member being yieldable under the influence of vibrations induced by machine operation to permit horizontal floating movement of the rail on the frame.

10. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame at opposite sides thereof; openings in said frame at opposite sides thereof; headed studs secured to said rail and having shanks extending through said openings respectively and normally being out of contact with the walls thereof; washers interposed between the stud heads and the frame for preventing vertical movement of the rail; and resilient members connecting the rail to the frame at opposite ends of the frame respectively and being yieldable under the influence of vibrations caused by machine operation to permit floating movement of the rail on the frame, each of said members comprising a substantially U--shaped part with legs thereof secured to said rail and frame respectively.

11. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; and means connected between said rail and said frame and comprising a resilient U-shaped part formed at the ends of its substantially vertical legs with substantially horizontal attaching feet secured to the rail and to the frame respectively.

12. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; and an accordion spring cushion element connected at its opposite ends to the rail and to the frame respectively.

13. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a track rail supported on the frame; resilient cushioning means interposed between the rail and frame and fioatingly positioning the rail longitudinally with respect to the frame; means for guiding the rail in its longitudinal floating movement; and means for changing the fore and aft position of said guiding means.

14. In a typewriting or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a track rail supported on the frame; resilient cushioning means interposed between the rail and frame and floatingly positioning the rail longitudinally with respect to the frame; a screw extending fore and aft of the machine and having threaded engagement with the frame; a circumferential groove in said screw; and a pin fixed to said rail and projecting into said groove for adjusting the rail fore and aft of the machine upon rotation of said screw.

15. In a typewriter or like machine, a main frame; a carriage; means mounting the carriage for longitudinal movement on the frame including a horizontal track rail supported on the frame; and accordion spring cushion means interposed between said rail and said frame and normally yieldably maintaining said rail in a neutral position and being yieldable in opposite directions longitudinally of the rail to permit floating of the rail in both said directions from said neutral position.

BERNARD J. DOWD. HENRY J. HART. 

